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A new inquiry into historic abuse at North Wales care homes has uncovered “significant” fresh evidence of “systematic and serious sexual and physical abuse”.

Operation Pallial, which was launched last November, has received 140 allegations relating to 18 North Wales care homes between 1963 and 1992 across the region. The alleged victims were aged between seven and 19.

The allegations include fresh claims by 76 new complainants.

Unveiling a progress report into the investigation North Wales Chief Constable Mark Polin said a total of 84 individuals have been named - 75 male and nine female. Of these, 16 have been named by more than one complainant. It is believed that 10 of the 16 may be deceased.

He told abuse victims: "It's never too late to report abuse."

Mr Polin added: "If you (offenders) believe the passage of time will reduce the resolve of Operation Pallial or any police force to identify people who are still alive and to bring them to justice, you are sorely mistaken.

“People who commit serious and sexual offences should live with the knowledge that we will always examine new information and evidence and seek to bring them to justice for their crimes.

“Offenders quite rightly should have to look over their shoulders for the rest of their lives."

Mr Polin said he had asked the National Crime Agency (NCA) to continue Operation Pallial into a second phase.

“I took the decision to ask the NCA to investigate these allegations, conscious that some victims of historic abuse may not have the necessary level of confidence in North Wales Police to report matters directly to us.

“Pallial has now secured accounts from almost all victims who are willing to support an investigation and it makes absolute sense for the officers and staff involved to be at the core of phase two and to move matters forward as quickly as possible,” Mr Polin said

Phase two will involve further investigations, he said, in liaison with the Crown Prosecution Service.

Det Supt Ian Mulcahey of Merseyside Police, is leading the investigation.